Hibiscus plant named `Morrison-Gilberg (I)`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct hybrid variety of Hibiscus moscheutos, particularly distinguished by having flowers of from seven to thirteen inches in diameter that are white with a red eye (Pantone 201u). The length of the blooming cycle is about 4-5 weeks. The flowers, which have completely overlapping petals, retain their flat shape for two full days, except when temperatures are exceptionally warm. Distinguishing characteristics are constant and stable in asexually reproduced plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofherbaceous perennial, more particularly to a hybrid variety of hibiscus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was developed by me as a progeny by cross-pollinationin a garden in Park Ridge, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. The plant wasoriginally produced as a seedling and has been successfully asexuallyreproduced by root crown division, under casual backyard gardeningconditions. The plant has also been reproduced by vegetativereproduction, i.e., by tip and stem cuttings. The original seedling hadparentage of `Giant Early White` (unpatented) pollen parent and `LittleRed Riding Hood` (unpatented) seed parent, both of which are cultivarsof Hibiscus mosheutos grown and named by the inventor. The presentcultivar is a herbaceous perennial; the stalks die back to ground levelevery winter and new stalks emerge in late spring. The trade name"Everest White" has been coined for this cultivar, although the cultivarwas neither marketed nor was its existence made public prior to thefiling of the present U.S. Plant patent application.

The present cultivar is distinguished by having flowers of from seven tothirteen inches in diameter. These unusually large flowers can be cutand used for centerpiece displays, and last equally long with or withoutwater. By comparison, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus Rose ofChina) flowers are two to six inches in diameter, and Hibiscus syriacus(Rose-of-Sharon or Althea) flowers are three to six inches in diameter.

In its natural growth habit in the Chicago area, the present cultivarmay be distinguished from both its pollen parent `Giant Early White` andits seed parent `Little Red Riding Hood` in that the flowers of theparents typically range from nine to ten inches in diameter. These areabout three inches smaller than the largest blooms of the presentcultivar. The present cultivar has also completely overlapping petals, afeature exhibited by neither of its parents. The length of the bloomingcycle is also longer for the present cultivar (i.e., 4-5 weeks) than for`Giant Early White` (3-4 weeks). The present cultivar is also easilydistinguished from `Little Red Riding Hood`, which has fully redflowers. Another important difference is that the flowers of the presentcultivar are observed to retain their flat shape for two full days,except when temperatures are exceptionally warm. Flowers of `Little RedRiding Hood` hold their shape only about a day and a half, while flowersof `Giant Early White` close the same day that they bloom. The height ofmature specimens of the present cultivar in their natural growth habitrange from about three feet to about five feet, as compared to 6-8 feetfor `Giant Early White`.

The greatest number of flowers for the present cultivar was obtained inenvironments of half to full sun. The largest flowers were obtained atsummer temperatures from 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Smaller flowerswere observed to bloom at temperatures as low as 50 to 60 degreesFahrenheit.

Reproduction by root crown division consistently produces plants withidentical, stable characteristics. A further botanical description ofthe new variety follows. Distingushing color characteristics are listedon the attached Plant Color Coding Sheet. The distinguishingcharacteristics listed thereon should not necessarily be assumed to beexhaustive. Although the listed characteristics are believed to be theprimary distinguishing color characteristics of the cultivar, it ispossible that others may become evident upon further observation andcomparison with other cultivars. These descriptions were made fromspecimens reproduced and grown under casual backyard gardeningconditions in suburban Chicago, Ill., and from specimens grown undergreenhouse and outdoor conditions in suburban St. Louis, Mo. Except asnoted below, no differences were observed between the two locations,except that specimens were observed to grow somewhat faster and theblooming period is somewhat longer under warmer conditions, as one mightexpect for plant specimens of this species. In the followingdescription, color references are made to the Pantone by Letraset ColorProduct Selector (© 1989 Pantone) except where general terms of ordinarysignificance are used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings clearly depict the new variety, showing thecolors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in coloredreproductions of this type. Actual flower, leaf, sepal, and bud colorsmay differ from flower, leaf, sepal, and bud colors in the photographsdue to light reflectance.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of the Hibiscus mosheutos, `Morrison-Gilberg(I)` cultivar of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of freshly cut portions of the Hibiscusmoseheutos, `Morrison-Gilberg (I)` cultivar of the present invention,showing the flower, leaves, and sepals surrounding flower buds in greatdetail.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Form: Numerous stalks grow upright from perennial roots.

Habit: Individual stalks with many leaves uniformly distributed on thestalks and numerous flowers bloom continuously. Rapid and strong stalkgrowth have flowers facing outward.

Productivity: Produces continuous new flower displays, vigorous andprofuse.

Precocity: Elegant displays of flowers, each stalk displaying one newflower after another. On each stalk, as one flower closes and its petalsfall off, a flower next to it and closer to the top of the stalk blooms,so that the displays appear to be continuous. The display periods mayvary depending upon climate and the vigor of particular specimens.

Stalks: Mature presentations occur the first year. Strong and smoothskin covered, and hold many leaves and flowers securely. Staking istypically not required under normal full sun growing conditions.However, specimens grown in shaded sunlight produce stalks that aresofter and that may require staking. New stalks emerge in May.

Temperature: Winter hardy during freezing winters. On 100 degree(Fahrenheit) days, the flowers bloom equally as they do during a mildday.

Insects: Negligible insect damage has occurred to date in any individualplant, even though no pesticides have been used, and no slugs have beenobserved on the plants.

Animals: Rodents, rabbits and squirrels have not been observed to botherthe stalks or roots.

Rooting: The plants root easily without fertilizer and send out theirroots quickly and securely.

Foliage: Large leaves evenly distributed vertically and horizontally onthe stalks.

Leaves: Abundant and decorative in alternate order. Medium to dark greenleaves with margin lengths of from three to eight inches in elongatedheart form. Typical leaves are 61/2" long by about 3 to 31/2" wide atthe base. Top color is Pantone 3302U, bottom is 555U. Shape is generallycordate, with somewhat irregular crenulate margins. Leaf tips areapiculate, bases are cordate, and venation is pinnate. Texture is matte.Petioles from two to four and one-half inches. No stipules.

Petiole color: Lighter green than the leaves, with some dusted rustcolor.

Height: Mature plants are from three to five feet in height.

Shape of plant at maturity: Rounded, almost globe-shaped.

THE FLOWERS

Buds: Shaped like a pointed egg and very large one to two days beforeblooming. White. Very large, can be over 3" in length. A typical budmeasures about 3" in length by about 11/4" at its widest point.

Blooming habit: Continuous and free blooming.

Petals: Two to six inches long, five per flower.

Diameter of flower: A distinguishing feature of the variety, flowers arefrom seven to thirteen inches in diameter.

Number of flowers: Approximately 10-15 flowers per stalk in matureplants, with essentially flat appearance.

Shape: Circular and relatively flat with overlapping petals.

Filaments: Each of the approximately 15 filaments attaches to the largestyle projecting from the center of the flower. Approximately 1/8" to1/4" in length.

Stamens: White, very numerous, extending from the style.

Pistil: Two to five inches long with the stamen and stigma attached.

Stigma: White, with five pollen receptors.

Style: White. About two inches long and supports the stigma.

Pollen: Light colored, whitish, and plentiful.

Shape of petal: Overlapping and broadly obovate (almost reniform)recurved at the base to form a small green star of revealed calyx, withoverall circular shape.

Texture: Central one-fourth satiny; outer three-fourths velvety.

Aspect: Like fine kidskin in appearance and stronely self-supporting.

Color: White with red eye, Pantone 201U.

Calyx: Six sepals, medium green color.

Bractlets: About 11/2", medium green, Pantone 3308U.

Blooing period: Mid summer to frost with continuous color presentation.In suburban Chicago, the blooming period typically lasts from the end ofJuly through August. Blooms can occur into September, depending onweather conditions. Container plants produce flowers longer, on lateralstems, as the main stems are cut back and laterals emerge.

Lastingness of the bloom: Individual blooms allowed to remain on theplant last approximately 1-3 days per bloom, typically two full days.Individual flowers hold their shape for about a day after cutting withabout 2 to 3 inches of stem, with or without water, if not exposed towind and heat, which can cause them to wilt and fade quickly. However,if buds almost ready to open are cut with about one foot of stem, thecuttings may be kept in water for 1-3 days and will open almostnormally.

Peduncle: Two to four inch stiff pedicels (color Pantone 1685U) tosupport the flower during blooming and the seed pod formation later.

Fruit: Seeds produced, typical of the species.

Fragrance: Minimal.

Disease resistance: No disease problems have been noted on stalks,leaves or flowers.

Environmental conditions: The plants can stand drought or up to twoinches of rainwater without adverse effects.

Winter dormancy: The plants lose their leaves at frost and stems dieback to ground level.

Fertility: Midwest topsoil provides adequate nutrients withoutadditional fertilizer.

Regularity of bearing: Consistent year-to-year flowering has beenobserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Hibiscus